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Saban Addresses Tennessee Game
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban discussed preparation for the upcoming contest tomorrow with the UT Vols on his radio show last night. Former Bama quarterback Greg McElroy was the media guest for the evening, and Chris Stewart filled in as host for Eli Gold.
Saban began by talking about the way the guys have played so far this season. He said the team tends to lose focus on occasion, and has been stressing focus all week.
Incidentally, with no program next week because of the open date, the crew sang Happy Birthday to Saban last night, then watched after he took three tries to put out the candles. Of course there are several candles on that cake.
The coach was complimentary when talking about Reggie Ragland and Jake Coker. He did say that the move for Ragland to middle linebacker was a good one and Ragland performs well. Concerning Coker, the coach said he didn't want to change Coker's competitive spirit but that the QB did need to be smart about when he takes off on a running play or busted pass play and is forced to run. He wants Jake to run in an "intelligent way."
Saban also said people needed to respect Tennessee. Mentioned that they had a good offense and called out some players by name. He said the Vol offense is "very good."
He said the move of Eddie Jackson to safety was a good move and has worked out well. He did say that the young man was apprehensive at first.
Coach was also very complimentary of receiver Calvin Ridley. He said they hadn't planned to move him along this fast, but injuries had forced the change in plans, and that Ridley had responded.
Coach Saban talked about the quality of play for the games this season, and said that Bama has played all its best games on the road this year. He's looking for positive vibes tomorrow in Bryant-Denny Stadium to give the team an extra lift in this big rivalry game.
Extra noise was used in practice for the defense. He said he wants the defense to be used to what they will hear tomorrow. The tactic is similar to what they do for the offensive when heading out on the road.
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Alabama Crimson Tide vs Tennessee Volunteers
Final Full Practice In The Books For Saturday
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
One of the rivalry games everyone looks forward to each season is tomorrow. Yesterday the University of Alabama football team went through its final full practice of the week in preparation to meet that foe. Bama went through an approximately 90-minute workout in shells yesterday inside the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility in preparation to meet the Tennessee Volunteers.
Yesterday's practice put special emphasis on special teams, and honed the game plan, both offensively and defensively, to ready the team for Tennessee.
This is the game once known as the "Third Saturday in October." Though its luster may have dimmed somewhat, it still is one of Bama's oldest and most bitter rivalries. With the advent of the division of East and West, with the two teams on opposite sides of these divisions, the game no longer holds its former sheen. But there is no doubt the dislike between the two is as strong as ever.
The Alabama-Tennessee match-up is this Saturday on CBS and will air at 2:30 p.m. CT. Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson and Allie LaForce will be making the call.
Alabama leads the series with Tennessee 51-38-7 (52-37-8 actual). The Tide rides an eight-game winning streak in the 97-games played between the two teams.
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Men's Tennis Heads To Auburn
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
The University of Alabama men's tennis team is on the road to Auburn this weekend to compete in the 2015 SEC Fall Classic. The tournament is scheduled to begin today and last through Monday, October 26th. The matches take place this weekend at the Yarbrough Tennis Center
Auburn University will host the Alabama Crimson Tide, Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee and Vanderbilt.
The event features both singles as well as doubles competitions. Finals are scheduled for Monday morning, October 26th.
Women's Golf Competes In Landfall Tradition
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
It's off to Wilmington, North Carolina for the Alabama women's golf team to play in the annual Landfall Tradition. The tournament begins today and lasts through Sunday, October 25th to close out the fall portion of the scheule. The tourney is to be played on the par-72 Pete Dye Course at the Country Club of Landfall.
Eighteen teams comprise this year's field. Along with the Crimson Tide will be the host UNCW, as well as Clemson, Duke, Elon, Kentucky, Michigan State, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Penn State, Purdue, South Carolina, UCF, Virginia and the defending champion Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
For those who want to keep up-to-date on the play, live scoring will be provided throughout the weekend on Golfstat.com.
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Alabama Soccer Down To Last 3 Games Of 2015 Season
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
The Alabama Soccer team welcomes Missouri to the Alabama Soccer Complex tonight at 7 p.m. CT, and Mississippi State on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. CT to close out the home portion of the season. The Sunday contest with State will be broadcast live on the SEC Network.
Sunday's game serves as the team's annual Power of Pink match. It is to help generate awareness for the early detection and prevention of breast cancer. This will be the 12th anniversary of event.
The Tide's final game of the regular season will be Thursday, October 29th at Arkansas. Opening kick is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT, and will be broadcast live on SECN+.
